AMBITIOUS and widely welcomed plans to create a Forest hospice for people with life threatening illnesses have been dealt a fresh blow with the refusal of planning permission to start building at Forest Hills, Coleford.

Following the donation of the land adjacent to the Forest Hills golf course by local businessman Harry Kear, the news that the project must now wait for major drainage work is particularly hard to swallow.

The fact that planners refused development "in the forseeable future" at Poolway Farm had been "bitter" said hospice committee chairman Sheila Evans.

"You could get the feeling that some people are not exactly putting themselves out to help," she said.

"It is after all a non-profit organisation designed entirely for the good of local people and you might hope people in high places would be, let's say, a bit 'bendy'."

They would now have to reexamine some of their earlier site choices, she said.

Prior to Mr Kear's offer the steering committee had spent much fruitless time and effort seeking approval for several other sites.

Most had failed because of local planning laws forbidding new development within the statutory Forest area, where even such a worthy enterprise might be seen to open flood gates for other developments.

Meanwhile the committee is forging ahead with plans to run hospice services for one day a week at the Dilke Hospital, Cinderford, and is calling for volunteers to help.

"This will enable us to establish exactly what levels of service and support our patients will require and enable us to establish and train a team of people for the future," said steering committee member Frank Rainer.

"Our initial agreement with the Dilke is for one year, but we hope that if it is acceptable the arrangement can continue as necessary."

He agreed that the planning refusal for the site, which also included refusal for separate housing developments in the same area, were a disappointment, especially since donations meant they could now make a start.

"But if they haven't got the drains, that's it – there's nothing anyone can do about it," he said.

•The Camelot Foundation has made a grant of £5,000 to the hospice for equipment, art materials and travel. Local MP Diana Organ said: "I am delighted that such a worthwhile cause has received this support."